Google helps to bring order to the worldwide web and they are continually making their search engine easier to use. We’ve complied a few tips to help you become a Google master.

Here are our 10 Google tips to help you find what you’re looking for:

1. Keep It SimpleWhen you’re looking for something on Google start with a simple search first. Search for “27th Letter Media” as opposed to “27th Letter Media Marketing Company Denver”. If you don’t find what you’re looking for with a simple search, start adding in more terms.

2. Use Keyword Friendly TermsMost companies create their website to be searchable, but you may need to think like the company instead of the reader. Instead of searching for “I need marketing help” try “small business marketing help.”

3. Search Within a SiteIf you’re looking for something specific on a website, try doing a search within a site. To do this type in what you’re looking for, say “content” followed by site:[insert site here]. For example: website creation site:27thlettermedia.com. Using search within a site will show you all pages on the site with the keyword you are looking for.​

4. Find the Image You NeedGoogle image search can feel incredibly overwhelming, but simplify it with Google’s advanced image search. Select search tools, on the far right of the navigation bar, and specify colors, size and even kind of photo (select animated to search for great GIFs). Keep in mind Google images are not free to use and most are copyrighted by other companies or individuals.

5. Use an Asterisk as Place Holder Looking for a lyric you know half of the words to? Google’s got you covered! Use an asterisk in place of the words you don’t know and Google will help fill in the blanks! Your search many look something like this: “I wish I was a little bit * I wish I was a *”.

6. Find DefinitionsGoogle knows all, including what words mean. If you need a definition of a word just search for “word definition” and Google will give you the answer. Use the same system to find synonyms.

7. Find Current ContentGoogle is an endless wealth of knowledge, but sometimes that knowledge is several months, or several years old. If you are looking for recent content or statistics use the search tools to specify a time frame.

8. Use a Hyphen to Exclude WordsIf you’re trying to find out more about marketing but not social media marketing, you can exclude social media from your search by using a hyphen. Your search will look like this: “marketing -social media.”

9. Implement the Use of OR This trick can be incredibly helpful if you are unsure of what keywords to use. Type OR between two different words or phrases to get a wider range of results.

10. Use Google ShortcutsGoogle has created a wide range of shortcuts, from searching for weather to discovering time differences. Take advantage of these great shortcuts: